Do you know how discussions work?

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   Link10103posted 9 years ago

   Do you know how discussions work?
   
   As I view it, discussions happen between people with slightly different if not polar opposite viewpoints. Questions are asked to gauge how the other came to their viewpoints, regardless if the person asking the question has the same perspective. You would never learn anything if you never bothered to ask questions from a viewpoint that isn't your own, and your questions don't suddenly become invalid when you do just because they might be difficult to counter.
   
   What is your ideal form of discussion, and does it extend to discussions about your religious/non religious beliefs?

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   RTalloniposted 9 years ago

   Yes, at least how they should work. 
   
   As you mention, a good discussion can be so insightful, but having them is a learned skill.  Emotions always play a part, but they must be well tempered so that clear thinking can help form the question correctly as well as the responses given in order for the discussion to be profitable. 
   
   Good discussions can and should also happen between people who have the same position on an issue because the way each words the position can strengthen another's method of wording it.

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      Link10103posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I'm not against people of similar perspective having a discussion, though I do find it somewhat boring sometimes compared to talking to other people on the complete other side of the spectrum.

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      RTalloniposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, it certainly would have the possibility of being boring, but a good discussion could provide information that might surprise.

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   Ericdierkerposted 9 years ago

   I certainly like the question. I am emotional. I can't help it and do not care to change it. I like having discussions that allow for emotion. Otherwise just give me a text to read. I like rational thought. I like logic in all the various constructs like religion or pure science. If this then that is interesting. But it is more interesting to hear what you think "if this then that".
   My wife and I argue and discuss. If we do "point - counterpoint" we always come up with a good method of moving forward. We don't sit down and talk like a shrink would suggest: "honey I feel bad when you use words like that". Boring! We do a gut check, visceral discussion and then let it simmer. But we have some sensitivity. And part of the after discussion reflection is about feelings expressed, maybe poorly, by each other.
   A flat no nonsense, purely logical discussion is normally quite boring. I had a discussion I had to have with a carpenter. Just the facts. I had a discussion with an atheist about God -- fun and exhilarating for both of us. I had a discussion with my young son about dinosaurs - exciting and full of passion. I had a discussion with my neighbor about fixing the fence his dogs destroyed - tense and bothersome.
   Discussion work out well in a textbook. But real life discussions work with variables of emotion, logic, memories and attitudes. People have discussions so they are personal. Ignoring that is not productive.

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      Link10103posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I don't mind emotion except for when it completely binds a person from using any form of logic/rationality and they go off the deep end for no real reason, even if it's painfully obvious they could be in the wrong.

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      Ericdierkerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I read a study once a while ago. About 75% of Americans feel inadequate in their ability to say what they mean in the realm of important issues. Grocery store is fine but deep stuff, forget it. We have to keep that in mind. Now add writing it.

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